Sabic hunts for engineering partners

22 October 2012

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation plan strategic partnership with two international companies

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) is planning to tender a contract for two partners to assist with engineering and project management at its existing process plants in Saudi Arabia.

The alliance agreement is being developed by Sabic Engineering & Project Management (Sabic E&PM) and will initially involve two international companies being given the responsibility for the upgrade of an existing complex controlled by Sabic. If the initial plan is successful then eventually 15 plants will be split between the two partners.

“Pre-bid meetings between Sabic and interested parties have been held, but the feedback has been that the proposal needs to be more defined,” says a chemical industry source based in the Middle East. “This means that any tender will probably not be released until 2013.”

Companies interested in bidding for the contract include:

  • Fluor Corporation (US)
  • Hyundai Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
  • Jacobs Engineering (US)
  • KBR (US)
  • Samsung Engineering (South Korea)
  • Technip (France)

The partnership agreement is believed to be similar to the general engineering services plus (GES plus) that has been developed by Saudi Aramco. Five international consultancies provide in-kingdom engineering and project management support to the state-owned oil company in a move designed to increase the expertise of local engineering talent.

Sabic were not available for comment when contacted by MEED.

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